Name: Fred & Robert Griffin
Where from? Barnsley
Previous Occupation? Fred is a Self Employed bricklayer and Robert worked as a Welder.
What course? Part Time Plumbing (Level 2 & 3)
City & Guilds (6089)
City & Guilds (6129) Plumbing Technical Certificate
Why Retrain?
Fred wanted to invest in his future and bring his work indoors; bricklaying is far from comfortable in the winter! He’d experienced the job satisfaction achieved from working with a trade and wanted to extend this into plumbing.
Robert already had an interest in plumbing which he decided to take further. Robert initially started the part time plumbing course whilst working full time as a welder. He enjoyed the flexibility that the part-time course allowed him and that he was still able to earn as he studied.
Whilst completing the part-time course, Robert was made redundant, and has since started the Multi Skilled CORGI Gas Engineer (Level 2 & 3) Course alongside his brother Fred. The Brothers decided to undertake both the Part Time Plumbing Course and the Multi Skilled CORGI Gas Engineer course so that they had a thorough all round knowledge, and would then be able to complete full installations from bathroom to boiler, with eventually specialising in gas servicing into retirement.
Any previous trade experience?
Robert had an underlying knowledge of plumbing, although hadn’t worked in the trade. Fred had no previous plumbing experience.
What made you choose MET-UK as a training provider? The Brothers looked into courses at their local college, and found that the course offered a basic knowledge of plumbing with a qualification gained over a three year period. This was too long a time to qualify, and they wanted to gain the City & Guilds 6129 Technical Certificate, they were therefore pleased to see that they could complete the qualification over a 6 month period at MET-UK.
Are you happy with your decision to retrain?
Robert said “I’m really glad that I chose to retrain, I’ve learnt a lot from the part time plumbing course and have felt that it’s given me a strong start to work from to progress onto the Multi Skilled CORGI Gas Engineer (Level 2 & 3) course. The tutors have been excellent; they’re good at teaching and make sure that you’re sure of a subject before moving on.” Fred adds “They really drill the information into you and the practical hands on work really helps to see how things really work.”
After completing the courses, Robert aims to gain experience in the industry working for a Company, but aims to be Self Employed in the long term. Fred is a Self Employed Builder and aims to gradually take on more plumbing work for his customers until the majority of his work is as a Plumber.
Would you recommend MET-UK to a friend?
“We would definitely recommend MET-UK to a friend”
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